Echinacea2003.pdf

HERBALPEDIA ECHINACEA Echinacea pallida Echinacea angustifolia
[ek-in-AY-shee-uh an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh]Family: Compositae Names: E. purpurea: purple coneflower, black Sampson, rudbeckia, Missouri coneflower, Echninacée pourpre Description: E. purpurea: Stately plant with a striking flower with a height of 3 feet and a width of 2.5 feet, sometimes la rger. The flowers are a few on each stalk, bright pink-purple, petals of 3 inches long, around a raised center disk or orange. Heads are up to 6 inches wide. The leaves are sparse, narrow, pointed, and very 6 inches long. The fruit is brown, papery seeds. The root is long, spindly, grouped together in older plants with a fleshy white
inside covered by a dark skin. It blooms from July
Echinacea purpurea Cultivation: E. purpurea: A perennial to Zone 3. It germinates 10-20 days, best if stratified 4 weeks in the refrigerator. Plant shallow, needs sunlight to germinate. Space 1.5 to 2feet. Prefers soil
temperature of 70-75F. Soil should be well drained,
studies show that extracts improve white blood cell
fairly poor, can be fairly dry with a pH of 6-8.
count and create other immune responses.
Prefers full sun or light shade in very hot climates.
Echinacin, found in Echinacea, stops bacteria from
Plant from seed or divide the crown on 2 year or
forming the hyaluronidase enzyme, which helps
older plants. It will bloom the first year from seed
make cells more susceptible to infection. It is a
if started early. Root division is not suggested too
mild natural antibiotic, 6 milligrams of one
often but young plants can be removed from the
glycoside equals 1 unit of penicillin, that is
main rootstock and replanted. It takes 3-4 years to
effective against strep and staph infections. A study
develop roots large enough for a substantial harvest.
done with over 200 children found that the group
who took echinacea, along with two other herbs,
History: Botanists named the plant after the
had fewer colds and, when they did get sick, had
hedgehog (Echinus) to describe its prickly, conelike
fewer days of fever. Similar results were observed
center. The Plains Indians used various species for
in studies with upper respiratory tract infections and
treatment of sore throats, toothaches, infections,
viral infections. It is obvious to researchers that
wounds, snakebites, and skin problems as well as
mumps, measles, smallpox, and cancer. When
stimulating constituents, although the mechanism is
these illnesses occurred, they would suck on the
not fully understood. Some components are better
root. They also applied root poultices to all manner
extracted into water, others into alcohol. Small
of wounds, used Echinacea mouthwash for painful
amounts taken a few times daily work better than
teeth and gums and drank the tea to treat ailments.
larger doses. Echinacea is also more stimulating to
Samples of Echinacea were uncovered in campsites
immunity when taken in an on-off regime, say 2
from the 1600s, but its use probably goes back
much further. Since the 1930s, over 300 scientific
The same chemical (HA) that helps shield
articles have been written about it. It was included
tissues against germs also lubricates the joints.
in King’s American Dispensatory after the eclectic
Arthritis breaks down HA, but echinacea’s HA-
doctor, John King, test the herb and successfully
protective action may have an anti-inflammatory
used it to treat ee stings, chronic nasal congestion,
effect, lending credence to the herb’s traditional use
in treating arthritis. German researchers have
successfully treated rheumatoid arthritis with
Constituents:E. purpurea: Essential oil includes
echinacea preparations. The herb is a helpful
remedy for treating allergies, such as asthma
polyacetylenes, isobutylalkamines with olefinic and
acetylenic bonds, glycoside, polysaccharide,
resistance in several ways. At the blood level, it
betaine, inulin, caffeic acid esters (mainly
accelerates phagocytosis, the means by which
macrophages and other antibodies attack and
remove bacteria. At the cellular levels, Echinacea
Constituents:E. angustifolia: alkamides (mostly
helps to reduce the production of an enzyme that
isobutylamides with olefinic and acetylenic bonds);
breaks down hyaluronic acid, the compound that
caffeic acid esters (mainly echinacoside and
occurs between cells to bind them together.
cynarin); polysaccharides; volatile oil (humulene);
Because of its multidirectional means of immune
system support, its primary usefulness, depends on
a healthy immune system. Without a healthy
Properties:
population of unencumbered antibodies to work
detoxifying, increases sweating, heals wounds,
with, echinacea’s capacity to fight infection is
limited to its simple, and less-than-impressive,
antiseptic actions. This means that timing is critical
Character: cool, dry, mainly pungent, bitter
to echinacea’s effectiveness—this herb should be
Meridians/Organs affected: lungs, stomach, liver
taken at the first onset of infectious symptoms,
otherwise its activity will amount to a losing battle
Medicinal Uses: Echinacea root is a popular
against microbial opponents that have already
medicinal herb because it activates the body’s
immune system, increasing the chance of fighting
Echinacea tincture can be added to juice
off almost any disease. It is very nontoxic. Clinical
three times a day and taken along with other herbal
approaches for athlete’s foot. It is also used to treat
mastitis and nipple fissures in nursing women.
marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for
Solvent: The acid constituents in Echinacea are
about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining
poorly water soluble and require a strong alcohol
ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out
base to extract them into a tincture form, but the
herbs. For a 50-lb child give 1-2 cups daily.
plant’s polysaccharide constituents are easily
extracted into water and largely destroyed by
Homeopathy: Tincture of the whole fresh plant for
alcohol. That is why a 50% alcohol menstrum is an
appendicitis, bites of rabid animals, blood
excellent extraction method allowing the acids to be
poisoning, carbuncles, dphtheria, enteric fever,
dissolved in the alcohol half and the polysacchrides
gangrene, poisoned wounds, pyoemia, rhus
to be soluble in the half that’s water.
poisoning, scarlatina, snake bites, syphilis, typhoid,
Tincture of root: For chronic infections, take ½ tsp
Decoction of root: To treat throat infections, gargle
Flower Essence: For those feeling shattered by
with 50 ml 3 times a day. Take 2-5 ml doses every
severe trauma or abuse which has destroyed one’s
2-3 hours for influenza, chills, and urinary tract
sense of Self or those threatened by physical or
infections, during the first couple of days of acute
emotional disintegration. Echinacea flower essence
symptoms. For more chronic conditions, use
stimulates and awakens the true inner Self. This is
standard doses and combine with other suitable
a fundamental remedy for many soul and physical
herbs such as buchu and couchgrass for kidney
illnesses, especially when the individual has
infections, or cleavers for glandular fever. May be
experienced shattering and destructive forces.
used in 10 ml doses for food poisoning or
Echinacea restores the soul’s true self-identity and
essential dignity, in relationship to the Earth and to
Wash: Use the decoction or diluted tincture for
infected wounds. Bathe the affected area
Recipes: Powder: Use for infected skin conditions such as
Echinacea and Sheep Sorrel Dressing
boils (combine with marshmallow) or weeping,
3 Tbsp each powdered echinacea root and sheep
Combinations: With yarrow or bearberry for
Winter Shield Protective Tincture
3 parts Echinacea root (fresh preferred)
2 parts blue elderberries, fresh or dried
sealed jar. This is a tangy immune stimulant. (An
References:
Combine herbs and fruits in a glass jar with
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Andrew
a tight fitting lid. Cover with brandy. Let sit in a
Chevallier, Dorling Kindersley, 1996; ISBN: 0-7894-
dark place for 2 weeks, shaking each day. Strain
off the plant material and bottle in dark bottles.
Flower Essence Repertory, Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Society, 1996; ISBN: 0-
Allergy Tea
An Herbal Feast, Risa Mornis, Keats, 1998; ISBN: 0-
½ tsp each echinacea root and marshmallow root
Herbs for Pets, Mary Wulff-Tilford and Gregory Tilford,
The Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia, Kathi Keville,
Mallard Press, 1991; ISBN: 0-7924-5307-7
Resources: Companion Plants, 7247 No Coolville Ridge Rd., Athens, OH 45701; 740-592-4643; www.companionplants.com plants, seed Crimson Sage, PO Box 337, Colton, OR 97017; 503-824-4721;
Plants The Rosemary House, 120 S Market St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; 717-697-5111; www.therosemaryhouse.com tincture HERBALPEDIA™ is brought to you by The Herb Growing & Marketing Network, PO Box 245, Silver Spring, PA 17575-0245; 717-393-3295; FAX: 717-393-9261; email: [email protected] URL: http://www.herbnet.com and http://www.herbworld.com Editor: Maureen Rogers. Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. Subscription fee: $48/yr. Material herein is derived from journals, textbooks, etc. THGMN cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information contained in any reference noted herein, for the misuse of information or any adverse effects by use of any stated material presented.

Terms of useZaBingo is owned by KAEMON TECHNOLOGIES LTD ('Kaemon') registered in Cyprus. The games Kaemon promotes on this website are powered by software belonging to Game point which is registered company in UK. When you use our website to play games, you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions. As a registered member of ZaBingo, you warrant and represent that you are over the age of 18. Yo